COMMENTARY ON MALACHI
LESSON NUMBER 15
Mal 2:14 “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.” – (Malachi 2:14-15)
THE STRENGTH OF A COVENANT
INTRODUCTION
This is a text of holy reasoning. Because they have become cold and calloused, God is unveiling the direction of their hearts – something they are not able to see for themselves. He speaks of their conduct, but their conduct is really not the principle thing. Rather, it is the result of a defection from the Lord. All of this has occurred while prophets were addressing them, the religious services were being carried out, and the Law was being read. Retrogression is never innocent. Eventually it erupts in outward actions once thought to be impossible. Being moved along by the Spirit, Malachi continues to deal with the manner in which the priests and the people have approached marriage. It is a symptom of a deeper defect of which they are ignorant. They have placed their own fickle will above everything else. They have despised the making of a covenant, and have thought nothing of failing to love both God and their neighbors– especially their wives. However, none of this has changed the facts in the case, or altered their responsibility. Further, it has all confirmed their distance from the Lord, for when He is not duly honored, morality at every level begins to weaken. Man has been created in a state of dependency, whether he recognizes it or not – dependency upon God. Men have been placed in both time and location in order to seek the Lord (Acts 17:26-27). When they come short of that objective, life begins to unravel, the heart grows hard, and Satan gains more dominance. Keep in mind that all of this was taking place in a religious setting that had been instituted by the Almighty Himself. Going through the mechanisms of religion actually compounded their problem. Now, they can no longer extricate themselves from their dilemma. The Lord sends a prophet to them who announce the Divine diagnosis and required remedy.
THE LORD HAS BEEN WITNESS
Malachi 2:14 “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously . . .”
“WHEREFORE?” Other versions read, “For what reason,” NKJV “Why?” NIV “Why does He not?” NRSV “Why is this?” CJB “For what cause,” DOUAY “Why aren’t our offerings accepted?” GWN “Why doesn't the LORD accept my worship?”NLT “Because of what?” TNK and “Why has God abandoned us?” LIVING This is the retort of the hearts of the priests and the people to the Divine statement made in verse thirteen: “He regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.” The NASB reads, “He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand,” In other words, their sacrifices were vain and pointless, for no good purpose can possibly be served by an offering that God does not accept. This parallels a statement made by Jesus: “But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt 15:9).
The ramifications of this are most arresting. Under the Old Covenant, flawed sacrifices and inconsistent lives voided any act of worship or devotion to God. Now, under the New Covenant, the matter is compounded even more, for attitudes, and even teaching impacts directly on the acceptance of worship.
Sin so stupefies religious people, if they are told God does not receive anything from their hands, they cannot understand why this is so. They have entertained a completely erroneous view of God, thinking that He is glad to receive anything from their hands. This can take a variety of forms. (1) “Why is this happening to me?” (2) “I have done everything I know to do, and still my prayers are not answered.” (3) “I am angry with God because of what has happened to me,” etc. When the heavens become as “iron” (Lev 26:19) and “brass” (Deut 28:23), it is time for self-examination, not the assessment of God Himself. Isaiah told the people their hands were “full of blood,” but they could not see it (Isa 1:15). Their indifference to God and lack of commitment to His will had dulled their senses, just as in this text. God does not look kindly upon those who reply against Him, or who ask why they have been made this way or that (Rom 9:20). Such reactions are only attempts to justify self.
THE LORD HAS BEEN WITNESS. Other versions read, “the Lord is acting as a witness,” NIV and “the Lord was a witness.” NRSV Here the prophet continues to deal with the marriages forged among the priests and people. Let us not forget what they had done. They had not only inter-married with the heathen (Mal 2:11), which practice was strictly forbidden by God (Ex 34:14-16; Deut 7:3), but they had thrust away their own wives to do so (Mal 2:11). Now, the tears of their wives were seen as on the altar, as they wept before the Lord (2:13).
Now the Lord informs them that He has presided over their marriages, taking due note of them. This is because marriage is a reflection of man being joined to the Lord. It depicts two being joined together into one, obtaining the same mind and purpose. Even though marriage is an earthly relationship, because of its origin the Lord takes due note of how men enter into it. Of course, this can be said of any earthly relationship involving commitment and unity with either people or a purpose. Such matters are all seen by the Lord in their finest detail (Heb 4:13).
THE WIFE OF THY YOUTH. Other versions read, “the wife you married when you were young” NET Here “youth” equates to the time when motives were pure, and the corruption caused by contact with the ungodly had not yet set in. Solomon referred to this youthful honesty when he wrote, “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth” (Prov 5:18). Who cannot remember that time when youthful honesty and nobility were resident in the heart, and ambitions were pure and open before the Lord? The point here, is that such ambitions were duly noted by the Lord, who expected them to be carried forward within the framework of an acute consciousness of Himself. It is good to recall and ponder the times we made noble vows, remembering that God heard them, was witness to them, and will hold us accountable for honoring them. I say this knowing that there are times of inequity when the people of God are willing to keep their vows, but their mates are not. Those are not the kind of people to which our text refers. That is the kind of people represented by the wives of reference – and the Lord had no rebuke for them. Instead, He took note of their tears.
THOU HATH DEALT TREACHEROUSLY. Other versions read, “you have broken faith with her,” NIV “you have been faithless,” RSV “you have been untrue,” BBE and “whom you have despised.” DOUAY This kind of treachery applies to parents who neglect their children, children who do not obey their parents, masters who are not mindful of their servants, and servants who do not respect their masters. Any God-ordained relationship of life that involves honor and servitude is duly noted by God. When a change of attitude occurs that involves a rupture of that relationship, it also is duly noted by the Lord.
Concerning the matter of marriage and its impact upon our association with God, Peter solemnly tells husbands to treat their wives with due honor and respect, considering their sensitivity, the fact that they are “heirs together of the grace of life,” and that “your prayers be not hindered” (1 Pet 3:7). There is certainly room for a growing sensitivity to this matter.
THE RESIDUE OF THE SPIRIT
2:14b “ . . . yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not He make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit . . .”
Remember, God is dealing with the feigned merger of the priests and the people with heathen women – daughters “of a strange god” (2:11). As if that was not bad enough, they had despised the wives they had chosen from among their own people, complicating the situation. One might imagine that God would not speak long on such a matter – but He does. This is so because more was involved than marriage. In order to do what they did, they had to be disobedient to God, despise His Word, and choose their own way over God’s way. That is an inalienable mark of all disobedience found among those who are acquainted with God and His ways.
SHE IS THY COMPANION. Other versions read “partner,” NIV “your friend,” BBE “your marriage partner.” CSB These disobedient husbands had treated their wives as subordinates, easily forgetting them in order to satisfy themselves. A “companion” involves more that than simply being in proximity. The word itself implies that when the wife is joined to the husband, he is more complete, for she is a “helper suitable for him,” NASB or “a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.” AMPLIFIED Husbands and wives are yoked together in life, intended to pull the load of life in a complementary manner. They are so “joined” together that God refers to them as “one flesh” (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:5). Jesus Himself said, “they are no longer two” NASB (Matt 19:6a). He further states that it was God who joined them, even though the vows are said to have been taken by them (Matt 19:6b). Peter says they are “heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Pet 3:7). However, those who are being rebuked by Malachi had found a way to work around such things, selfishly seeking their own interests to the dishonor of God, the voiding of their worship, and the sorrow of their wives. Just how serious is something like that?
THE WIFE OF THY COVENANT. Other versions read, “your wife by covenant,” NASB and “the wife of your marriage covenant.” NIV In a very real sense, their wives had been chosen by themselves, and sealed with a public covenant made before the Lord. This was not something that had been bound upon them, and it was entered into heartily and with good will. Let it be clear, that God takes human commitments seriously, as this text confirms. Every time there is a marriage on earth, at least three are involved: God, the man, and the woman! This is something that God does not grant men the luxury of forgetting.
Once again, this is speaking of the ordinary rule for marriage. In other places, God does address the matter of unfaithfulness, the lack of a peaceable union before the Lord, and divorce. That, however, is not what He is addressing here. That is why no word is of rebuke or restraint is issued to the wives who have been dealt with treacherously.
DID NOT HE MAKE ONE. The “He” of reference is God. The ones He made “one” are the husbands and their wives. That oneness, or singleness of desire and objective, was forged by God, not men. The preference of the wife for her husband, and the predilection of a husband for his wife are not the products of human wisdom. Nor, indeed, is it a mere technicality. God is the One who joins a man and a woman together (Mk 10:9), and He is the One who gives the commitment of them to one another. More is involved than romance. There is an actual working in the heart that can be cultured and matured by men and women by faith – so that oneness increases, flowing into every aspect of life – particularly to the Lord.
HE HAD THE RESIDUE OF THE SPIRIT. Other versions read, “a remnant of the Spirit,” NKJV “in flesh and spirit they are his,” NIV “both flesh and spirit are his,” NRSV “sustained for us the spirit of life,” RSV “spiritual blood-relatives,” CJB “a remnant of His life-breath,” CSB “a portion of the Spirit in their union,” ESV “abundance of spirit,” GENEVA a small portion of the Spirit in him does this,” NET and “Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive?” AMPLIFIED
The “residue of the Spirit” is what was breathed into Adam, making him a “living soul” (Gen 2:7). This distinguished him from the “Second Man,” Jesus, who “became a life-giving spirit” NASB (1 Cor 15:45). That is, all human life is derived. No person was made to impose himself upon others – particularly a husband upon a wife. Adam and Eve – the man and the woman – are, in a sense, a single creation. Thus it is written, “Male and female created He them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created” (Gen 5:2). The name Adam means “Man,” and is thus translated in various versions, “Mankind,” NKJV “Man,” NASB “Humankind,” NRSV and “named them [both] Adam [Man] at the time they were created.” AMPLIFIED This is true because only a portion of God’s Spirit was put into man, thereby making him dependent upon God. Conducting one’s life independently of God, as those of our text, is a grievous sin, because it contracts the way things really are.
The gist of this verse is that no person with even a portion of “the Spirit” conducts himself as these people had done – taking unto themselves heathen wives, and then breaking the covenant they had made with the wives they had chosen in the integrity of their hearts. They were not acting like the creation of God. They were not honoring Him by living in contradiction of His own ordinance. Sin moves a person in this manner.
SEEKING A GODLY SEED
2:15b “ . . . And wherefore one? That He might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.”
WHEREFORE ONE? Other versions read, “And why one?” NKJV “And what does the one God desire,” RSV”what was the one God seeking?” ESV “what does the same God look for?” GWN “what does that One require?” NAB and “why [did God make you two] one?” AMPLIFIED
Some versions butcher the verse beyond all recognition. Some versions refer the “one” to Adam and Eve. CJB/NJB Others refer it to Abraham, “our ancestor.” NET/NIB The One whose desire is now referenced is God Himself – the One who not only made man, but marriage as well. The question is, what did He intend by this marvelous union? Was there a higher purpose than fleshly satisfaction, convenience of life, and noble companionship – a purpose with which all of those things were designed to work? The answer is emphatically “Yes!”
A GODLY SEED. Other translations read, “godly offspring,” NKJV “a seed from God,” CJB “the seed of God,” DOUAY “godly descendants,” GWN”a seed given of God,” JPS “a child from God,” NET “an offspring from God,” NIB “Godly children from your union,” and NLT “godly folk.” TNT
Here is the foundational reason for marriage: “a godly seed.” Ultimately, that seed is Christ, the Savior of the world. Here, however, that is not the specific point, for Christ Jesus was not the “Seed” of man and woman – only of the woman (Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14; Gal 4:4).
In this text, the point has to do with the nation of Israel and why intermarriage with other nations was not allowed. This nation was birthed and cultured to bring forth the Messiah,. That was the ultimate reason for its appointed formation. She is “the woman” of Revelation 12:4,6,13-16. Paul referred to the singular blessing of Israel in these words: “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom 9:5).
The “Old,” or “First” Covenant was made with Israel within the framework of the coming Savior. It was a fleshly covenant – i.e. a covenant that made much of genealogy. The blood line leading to Jesus had to be pure, not mingled with those who served false gods. Even those in the genealogy of Christ who had heathen backgrounds (Rahab and Ruth), came to embrace the God of the Hebrews, removing their allegiance to false gods.
A nation with whom God identifies Himself is not allowed the luxury of being a corrupt and defiled one. Those who are being addressed in this text had chosen to ignore the objectives of God in order to fulfill their own selfish desires. When they intermarried with the heathen, they were certainly not seeking a “godly seed” – but God was, and they really existed for Him!
TAKE HEED TO YOUR SPIRIT. Other versions read, “guard yourself in your spirit,” NIV “look to yourselves,” NRSV “take heed to yourselves,” RSV “give thought to your spirit,” BBE “watch yourselves carefully,” CSB and “guard your heart.” NLT
This has to do with examining oneself and maintaining proper motives – making sure men live for the right reason. Parallel admonitions are as follows. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov 4:23). “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God” (Heb 12:15). “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). “Take heed unto thyself” (1 Tim 4:16). “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Heb 3:12).
It is not possible to sin while taking heed to these, and similar, admonitions. This is because as a person lives in this godly and deliberate manner, grace and peace are given to maintain life. In this way, God will give you “the desires of your heart” (Psa 37:4). Of course, this manner of living presumes the superiority of faith and the willing subjugation of the flesh.
LET NONE DEAL TREACHEROUSLY. This is a most solemn warning. Speaking through His prophet, God has told the people of His intention in marriage. He has underscored that marriage itself is from Him, and, within the proper boundaries, is sanctioned by Him. Whatever one may think of the will of God, it does not allow for a man to deal treacherously and thoughtlessly with his wife. He may not conduct his life as though she did not exist, or as though they were not one, or as though she was not a helper. He may not abuse her, cause her tears, or present circumstances that make life difficult for her.
As I have already said, God has spoken concerning abnormal circumstances in marriage (Matt 5:31-32; 19:8-9; 1 Cor 7:15-16). Although God Himself hates divorce, and will say so in the very next verse (Mal 2:16), yet He gave Israel, a bill of divorce because of her unfaithfulness to Him (Isa 50:1; Jer 3:8; Hos 2:2). There are valid reasons for divorce, but they were not found in the conduct of those who are being rebuked by Malachi.
AN APPLICATION. We must not fail to see the application of this text to life in the New Covenant. The church is a people God has taken for Himself (Acts 15:14; Tit 2:14; 2 Cor 5:15). They have been raised up to labor with Him (1 Cor 3:9), offer sacrifices of praise to Him (1 Pet 2:5, and finally be presented to the Lamb of God as His bride (John 3:29; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:27; Rev 21:9). To live as though this were not true puts one in the category of this text.